i suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. it will be hard. but i also know that nearly a century after teddy roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. so let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."
the president's american recovery and reinvestment act protects health coverage for 7 million americans who lose their jobs through a 65 percent cobra subsidy to make coverage affordable.
the recovery act also invests $19 billion in computerized medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while ensuring patients' privacy.
$1 billion for prevention and wellness to improve america's health and help to reduce health care costs;
$1.1 billion for research to give doctors tools to make the best treatment decisions for their patients by providing objective information on the relative benefits of treatments; and
$500 million for health workforce to help train the next generation of doctors and nurses.
guiding principles
president obama is committed to working with congress to pass comprehensive health reform in his first year in order to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all americans.
comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait. rapidly escalating health care costs are crushing family, business, and government budgets. employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have doubled in the last 9 years, a rate 3 times faster than cumulative wage increases. this forces families to sit around the kitchen table to make impossible choices between paying rent or paying health premiums. given all that we spend on health care, american families should not be presented with that choice. the united states spent approximately $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007, or $7,421 per person - nearly twice the average of other developed nations. americans spend more on health care than on housing or food. if rapid health cost growth persists, the congressional budget office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system. this growing burden will limit other investments and priorities that are needed to grow our economy. rising health care costs also affect our economic competitiveness in the global economy, as american companies compete against companies in other countries that have dramatically lower health care costs.
the president has vowed that the health reform process will be different in his administration - an open, inclusive, and transparent process where all ideas are encouraged and all parties work together to find a solution to the health care crisis. working together with members of congress, doctors and hospitals, businesses and unions, and other key health care stakeholders, the president is committed to making sure we finally enact comprehensive health care reform.
the administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:
reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
invest in prevention and wellness
improve patient safety and quality of care
assure affordable, quality health coverage for all americans
maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
end barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions
please visit www.healthreform.gov to learn more about the president's commitment to enacting comprehensive health reform this year.
maybe it's me but the word "reform" sparks more anxiety then it does hope for the future. i suppose only time will tell. though i must say i didn't appreciate that our president only included registered nurses in his estimation as "nurses" on the one video i have attached. perhaps i am just being too easily insulted but i worked to become a nurse as well even if that means i'm not a registered nurse. as well such is life...
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong
You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.
You're quoting Boetcker really? Or just Reagan quoting Boetcker? You really make me laugh how dogmatic to Republican principles you are.
I'm a life long conservative and I'm for Obama's healthcare reform as a retired nurse. Let me just say that this "Drug Rep to RN" does not represent all of us common sense Conservatives.
If people like Sarah Palina and Mark Sanford are going to be the future of my party, I might need to find a different one that stays true to my conservative principles.
I agree. I think the Mayo Clinic's delivery system that is focused on patient outcome, not how many procedures are done, is phenomenal. Physicians are paid a salary and so are not motivated to rack up unnecessary procedures. The Data also backs this up; Mayo has one of the best statistics in terms of patient health.
I agree with you.. I think people have their head in the sand when it comes to this guy and Congress... The only way to "reform", is to start "reforming" our policy makers. I call for "all" lifelong politicians to be removed from office and start with new. I also think setting term limits on ALL elected office should be a standard across the board from local up to the President.
There is no doubt that something needs to be done with healthcare, but the road that Congress and the President are on IS GOING TO BE CATASTOPHIC to our children and our elderly.
I think AMERICA needs to stand up to Congress and the President and say enough is enough. We are no longer a country that believes in hard work or intelligence, with this President and Congress we are promoting ignorance and lazy people that do not want to work.
I hope that all of the "Nurses" and Doctors out there do not regret the changes once they are in place. "Nurses" and Doctors that are getting into the business because they want job security and a higher income might want to consider what this "reform" is going to do to that dream... It is certain (as it is in other countries ) that there will be caps on the amount of money can be earned by all of us as a well as the overwhelming increase in taxes that we are about to incurr.
I hope this country is getting exactly what it asked for when they voted over and over again to put back in office the lifers in Congress and our new President.
MAY GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY and ALL of the NURSES that are serving, and those that will still serve after the changes come down.
Only those who are Republican/Conservative faithfuls actually think in this illogical manner.
I hate to point out to you this but you statement above just did the very thing you are bashing those having the political fight are doing...
It should not be about Republican or Democrat... If there has not been enough Government corruption over the last 5-10 years to make you bang your head against the wall, then you obviously also have your head in the sand. If Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Concervatives, Independants and Centrist and any of those others would stop the mudd slinging, something might actually get accomplished.
WE ALL (referring to those in position to) need to stop looking back, stop blaming and making excuses and start actually and genuinely being concerned with AMERICA and AMERICANS in order to make real change happen. We need to make CONGRESS, OUR PRESIDENT and OUR UNIONS, who sold out to make sure they were not getting it, take the very insurance changes which they are going to pass along to the every day working American. NO ONE should be allowed to have a different insurance because they are in a position of power.
What is good for one, should be good for ALL.
Directly asked if he would take the insurance that he was passing on to Americans Barack Obama did another fine media dance around it an never answered the question. Because what is good for the average American, is not good enough for his family... So why should it be good enough for us.
"Directly asked if he would take the insurance that he was passing on to Americans Barack Obama did another fine media dance around it an never answered the question. Because what is good for the average American, is not good enough for his family... So why should it be good enough for us." quote from CarolSboyz123's post #63
It's one thing to say that our President and his family have enough health insurance, but do you really think every American should have a physician following them around, in case they're assassinated/have an assassination attempt made on their life. Would you want your children to go to school with two "secret" police near them at all times? At least that would provide more jobs........
The fact that you describe our President in the stance of "dancing" when asked about his own health insurance, immediately indicates your position in his regard, to me, and of your positionm regarding the changes he was elected to do. Unfortunately the opposing party, Republicans, many of whom delighted in opposing integration in years past, has demonstrated their inability to accept an African American man in the White House. Now a few Democrats call themselves "blue" (a word indicating depression - "I feel blue" is a widely used description of sadness. I doubt that the painting of the "Blue Dog" caused that), as they have aligned themselves with Republicans. Those against our President use "Waterloo" to describe the negativity surrounding universal health care.
As a nurse, you know what situations haunt your patients' recovery, yet you and many others "in the know" have voted, in the poll regarding support of the changes recommended, that "it depens on the structure" of the program". That indicates that many nurses regard their status quo - having adequate, although very expensive health insurance that taxes us already, since employers have dumped expenses they could have deducted from their taxes, onto you. You can't deduct the cost of your health insurance (yet), unless you have a catastrophic illness with its accompanying financial disaster of costs above 7.5% of your income! If you look really closely at the yearly financial statements of your facility/agency, it will become more clear (not totally clear, as figures have a way of jumping into categories where it looks best) who benefits from the shift of the cost of health insurance to you, already. Waiting costs you more money!
Those costs are extremely high to cover the uninsured people who have no financial resources for their ER visits, admissions to hospital, costly medications and procedures. I just watched a 23 year old young college student on CNN, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Since he was going to school on money loaned at a high interest rate by a bank, he "saved money" by gambling that his good health would prevail, and he didn't buy an individual policy to cover medical expenses. So now we (Americans who pay taxes) are paying for his care. His medications run $5,000/month. Of those who don't want the proposed changes in health care, and who rale against people who couldn't buy prohibitively expensive health insurance, calling them "deadbeats", how many of you would agree to pay their health insurance premiums with "your" tax money?
That would mean that you'll be paying for medical costs as they are now - for the bonuses, high salaries and exquisitely furnished offices of healthcare insurance executives, and you'll allow physicians to claim that it's the cost of malpractise insurance due to high amounts won by plaintiffs who challenge errors of such a degree that courts have awarded enormous amounts of money (in an effort to demonstrate to other health care practitioners, the folly of sloppy performance, poor relationships with their patients, or disregarding guidelines for health care) that causes such huge fees as they charge now - which also pays the insurance companies. Laboratories, radiology departments, and pharmacies would still claim that "paperwork" to get paid, causes acceleration of their charges. Is that what you mean, really?
Medicare patients are allowed only 3 days in the hospital at a time (unless critically ill) while having procedures that could be given them as out patients, and are readily admitted for those procedures, now. Many of those patients are readmitted within 7-10 days, according to the "game" as it's played now. Since I was allowed to hemorrhage unattended for 2 hours in the Emergency room of the hospital to which I was taken by ambulance, I didn't get the nuclear bleeding scan that would have detected the location of the GI bleed I had a few months ago (it can only be done while heavy bleeding occurs).
So I was admitted for transfusions, Q4H H&Hs, and "observation". If there had been a TV monitor on me, I'd agree that I was "observed". The only time any hospital employee entered my room, it was the phlebotomist or an aide taking vitals Q8H (when I wasn't actually having a transfusion). Oh yah, and a "hospitalist" with less than a few years' experience as a family practitioner, who told me, "Next time you bleed, ask for a nuclear bleeding scan, when you come to the ER". Sure I will, I'll have that tattooed on my forehead! As a Medicare patient, other taxpayers paid for the charges of almost $20,000 that admission cost! Think of that, multiplied by frequency of admissions such as mine.
I believe that cost appropriate treatment in my case, would have been to have the transfusions administered as an outpatient in the area where I was placed while waiting for a hospital bed, then discharged home with my daughter to her home or mine, being given clear instructions about reasons for concern, intervals to check for consciousness, and have a Home Health Nurse see me there within 4 hours of discharge, for a thorough assessment, draw blood for an H&H, and return at 6AM the next morning for that again; and then I'd go for the endoscopy as an outpatient again, that day. (I'd had one 2 months prior to this occasion of bleeding.)
The only reason that kind of frugal care is unavailable here in Williamsburg, VA, is because the doctors have lobbied the only hospital here, so that they will have undisturbed evenings and nights (that have lengthened due to shorter working hours, since fewer patients are seeking care); and in a "devil's agreement", the hospital increases its revenue by admitting patients that could be treated as well or better, as outpatients. It has been proven in approved studies, that patients have more comfortable and faster recoveries from illness when cared for by their families, at home.
When, not if the proposed changes (available to anyone wishing to see them, on the internet) come to be, under HSS, reduction of medical expenses (mostly for physicians, who will be paid for their time, (not, as my GI doctor charged, $1,000++ for a 15 minute procedure), less pay for the CEOs that now head a myriad of insurance offices all over the country, no billing procedure people in each doctor's office, and greater curtailment of runaway hospital, lab, X-ray, etc. charges.
A lot of the resistence of the changes comes from politicians who are quite open about their inability (read that unwillingness) to utilize computers in their work. Because of that, they can't envision how the expenses of much of the bookwork, therefore costs, can be minimized and done in a centralized location that exists already. Think of all the empty offices that cause revenue/income loss, (therefore tax deductions for wealthy owners of the buildings), that could be filled with workers doing that. Due to analyses for quality control that computers can have programmed, fewer human errors will occur, and if they do while data is entered, multiple zeros or lack of sufficient numerals will expose them as "red flags", just like spelling errors do in many programs.
So please, everyone, become conversant about what the changes are, before forming your opinions - there will be a need for more nurses, whose salaries can be negotiated upward; and don't depend on possibly weighed opinions of others (particularly doctors who will have to work harder and longer for their money, and hospital administrators fearing loss of their positions). :bowingpur
It's one thing to say that our President and his family have enough health insurance, but do you really think every American should have a physician following them around, in case they're assassinated/have an assassination attempt made on their life. Would you want your children to go to school with two "secret" police near them at all times? At least that would provide more jobs........
Did I say the President and his family have enough insurance?? No... However, in his response he said (in a nutshell) he didn't need better insurance, he had full time doctors...
As far as having my children being at school with two "secret" police... It comes with the job that he chose..
As far as your opinion on my stance about the President... I don't care if he is African American, White, Polish, Russian, Armenian or any other nationality out there....Male, Female or Other... I don't care...
What I do care about is that the changes that are being made are only being made for those of "us" who do not hold public office... ALL of YOUR Congress people and your President and Your Unions should get the same coverage, under the same requirements as what they are attempting to hand to us... If any one of those individuals had to watch their loved one be passed up for treatment because their potential "length of life left" does not meet the requirements needed to get that treatment, none of them would vote for it...
I wonder, how would the Kennedy family feel if Ted was turned away for treatment because his lifespan no longer dictated he needed treatment??? OF COURSE NOT... MONEY TALKS.... Something MY TAXES pay for is salaries and the best of everything for a group of people running this country that are no longer concerned with the country or its people and I apologize if I hurt your feelings "But Obama is one of them, just as Bush, Clinton (who sold international trade on a one way deal) and many of them before him".
For the Record... I was a Democrat for many years, I voted Republican a couple times... NOW I think they ALL need to go and we need to start fresh... If the corruption and lifers in Congress are gone, we have a better chance.
I was sitting on a plane just a couple weeks ago, I happened to be seated next to an older couple that was heading back home after spending three weeks in Wisconsin seeking treatment for their Granddaughter that had lime disease. In my discussions the young lady said " I can't believe what is happening here in the United States, the American public seems to have given up the fight against their government". When I asked what she meant, her reply was " they are allowing socialized medicine which means less treatment, and if your one of the lucky ones you might actually get to see a doctor." That couple, was here in the United States, seeking treatment from a country with socialized medicine, one which dictates who and when you will get treatment. Further to the story, their inability to get to see a doctor is because so many have fled to the United States because of the technology we have here.
So think about this story when you accept socialized medicine... If the people, our government, are trying to model this country after are seeking treatment here, what does that say about their "WONDERFUL" system ?
Like I initially said "There is no doubt that something needs to be done with healthcare", but the direction that it is going and at the "fast pace" to make changes is not the answer. Much like any decision, you must consider all sides and "READ" the documents before you make a decision. I am certain that YOU and I and others would be much more apt to read 1,000 pages of paper if we new our life depended on it... Do you understand that Congress and the President are not.... because thier lives are not hanging in the balance and neither is the lives of their families because the benefits they get are lifetime, including their family...
AND YES!!! I can say that as being "educated on the topic", my father was a career politician for the Democratic Party and several of my extended family members currently hold public offices at the local, state, and national level.
"What I do care about is that the changes that are being made are only being made for those of "us" who do not hold public office... ALL of YOUR Congress people and your President and Your Unions should get the same coverage, under the same requirements as what they are attempting to hand to us... If any one of those individuals had to watch their loved one be passed up for treatment because their potential "length of life left" does not meet the requirements needed to get that treatment........" Quote from post#65 by CarolSBoyz123
I think you need to read the Revision plan! The new Health Care Revisions, are for EVERYONE! Elected officials, are in the group called "All Americans". I sense your anger toward me and MY congress, regretfully, as it colors our viewpoints. "Anger begets anger", especially when I'm under attack.
You're right that President Obama chose his job, which includes the possibility of being assassinated/mortally wounded, and his wife and children having to put up with their "secret service" presence. I'm so grateful that he did!
From everything he's written and that's been written about him that I've read (all three of the books that were published before he graduated from college or considered running for public office) + TV, internet and newspaper coverage of his statements and policies/programs), I'm convinced that is our good fortune to have him as our President during these difficult times. I'm not sure that all members of Congress deserve that accolade.
Have you read his works?
When we criticize anyone, it's best to have all the facts...... I haven't read the guidelines for treatments/surgeries that are refused, due to age. I do know that in Canada, my 80 year old sister is being told to get a spinal fusion before she gets too old to be given anaesthesia safely....... She has doggedly refused that surgery, but now has agreed to it, and it will be done within a month, as it isn't life threatening; and she has little pain on sufficient analgesia. Other surgeries that are life threatening are ahead of hers.
Interestingly, all the neurosurgeons in Toronto are on vacation until Sept. (sounds like our congress), so the OR will only receive bookings after that, she says) - could be the analgesia or age talking......
Canadians who have "comfortable" incomes, usually go to their "cottages" in northern areas, to escape the heat of the city. It seems that doctors there have enough money to have 2 homes...... I've been a guest at some of those doctors' "cottages" - very luxurious.
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.
The last time I checked, the poll states that most people think it's dependent upon the "structuring" of the programs. I am for appropriate reform--but DEFINITELY NOT for this huge bill no one has read and is trying to stuff down our throats. I want to KNOW all the specifics. Then I will decide to revolt against or truly support.
I am glad that not everyone has been drinking Obama's KoolAid when it comes to this bill. Maybe the Obama Administration is figuring out that the American Peeps are not all stupid.
Only those who are Republican/Conservative faithfuls actually think in this illogical manner.
I hate to point out to you this but you statement above just did the very thing you are bashing those having the political fight are doing...
It should not be about Republican or Democrat... If there has not been enough Government corruption over the last 5-10 years to make you bang your head against the wall, then you obviously also have your head in the sand. If Democrats, Republicans, Liberals, Concervatives, Independants and Centrist and any of those others would stop the mudd slinging, something might actually get accomplished.
WE ALL (referring to those in position to) need to stop looking back, stop blaming and making excuses and start actually and genuinely being concerned with AMERICA and AMERICANS in order to make real change happen. We need to make CONGRESS, OUR PRESIDENT and OUR UNIONS, who sold out to make sure they were not getting it, take the very insurance changes which they are going to pass along to the every day working American. NO ONE should be allowed to have a different insurance because they are in a position of power.
What is good for one, should be good for ALL.
Directly asked if he would take the insurance that he was passing on to Americans Barack Obama did another fine media dance around it an never answered the question. Because what is good for the average American, is not good enough for his family... So why should it be good enough for us.
I think theres a difference between open minded and considering the merits of all thoughts and as the other poster said, people who stick to a party just because they are party faithfuls. I mean what the Republican senator said about doing everything he could against this healthcare bill because it would "crush Obama" is just disturbing. This isn't a game and when i see their personal/political agenda to go against legislation in hopes to politically "crush" someone, it is disturbing.
Specializes in Case Management; Home Health; Hem/Onc;.
Wow, all this bickering and quoting people has my head spinning. I think we need to ask ourselves just what the bottom line is here . . .truly. It seems to be money when I think it should be our patients. The whole money equation just needs to take a back seat. When did health care become a business, anyway? If health care is no longer profitable, then the moneymongers will leave. What about that?
Alcebiades
3 Posts
You're quoting Boetcker really? Or just Reagan quoting Boetcker? You really make me laugh how dogmatic to Republican principles you are.
I'm a life long conservative and I'm for Obama's healthcare reform as a retired nurse. Let me just say that this "Drug Rep to RN" does not represent all of us common sense Conservatives.
If people like Sarah Palina and Mark Sanford are going to be the future of my party, I might need to find a different one that stays true to my conservative principles.